Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-10-14
REG. DR. WALKERS REMA RKS
In Last Weeks Great Discussion before !
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In Last Weeks Great Discussion before !
the American Hoard.
On our first page today is printed a short
and comprehensive statement in regard to
the action taken by the American Board at
Springfield, Mass, last week, and the sig
nilicance Of that action During Thurs
days proceedings, while the debate was at
its warmest, Rev DR., George Leon Walker
made an address which was notable, both
from DIR. Walkers standing as leading
preacher in the denomination and because
it was plea for liberal, catholic action
from a man who il well-known as a con
sentative of the conservatives in his theo-
logical belief. For numerous reasons per
sonal TO DR. Walker the speech possesses a
local interest, and we reproduce its main
portion:
Mr.. President and Brethren Of the Board,
rise at this time with a sense of personal
embarrassment such as never attended any
public address which | ever ventured TO
make, and | should not rise at all did not
believe that | stood somewhat in a repre-
sentative capacity, humbly representative
Of n class Of men whose voices have hard
" been heard in the discussion Of this uues-
ton thus far. In theology | agree with
my hrother-my brother-in-law according
to the flesh, and brother in Christian spirit
DR.. Boardman and do not agree with
my brother Parker in theology upon the
point which is specially before us today.
Standing in this middle position, where |
humbly believe that others connected with
this board do stand, | desire to say that it
is with the profoundest sorrow that | have
seen the meetings OF this organization for
the past two years 50 perverted, as il seems
TO be, from the essential and proper bust
ness which is before us as an organization
for carrying the gospel to heather lands
as to become if not as has been said, n
theological court, at least a theological de-
batting society where, whatever may be
the other advantages which may have been
secured, certainly no one can have gone
away inspired and uplifted by the consider
ations which seem germane to the organi-
cation which we represent. And, stand
ing as | do, as representative of old
school views in theology, | am in position
to say as do say and affirm at this time,
that the responsibility for bringing these
questions before this board and 50 chang
ing the character Of the meeting has not
called the new departure" In time Of
peace, before these questions were agitated
upon the public platform Of this board at
ALL voice was uplifted upon the conserva-
tive side Of this question, designed to tone
up the theology Of the board, in the ser
mon preached at Portland. That voice was
reGchoed at almost every subsequent meet
ing Of the board. A year ago its polemc
note gave character and quality TO the
whole meeting that followed. Thank God
that on this occasion we were spared in the
opening sermon a continuance Of the same
unhappy discussion
Now, Mr. President, while, as l have said
plainly enough, not holding at all or sym
pathizing with the particular view which is
under debate, | cannot but feel that there
has been most misleading, a continuous
and reiterated misrepresentation Of the
quality and characteristics OF this view
| Our papers have teemed with statements
that this is novelty, a hitherto unconiect
ured conception Of the possibility of Gods
grace to man. | could quote from paper
which | read upon the platform Of this
board, from AN article written by gentle
man, u member Of this board, now sitting
| here affirming this view, and that idea is
sent forth through all our religious news
papers that this is u novelty. and that the
| board is invited to give its quasi sanction
to a conception which, until recently, has
never entered the hearts and the minds Of
| men. | sit at the feet Of an eminent his
torical instructor who can correct me, if |
am in error but if | have read history
Alright, this conception Of the possibility Of
divine grace extended in another world to
men is as old as the second century Of
| Christian history. 1t has been entertained
| by some of the noblest and saintliest faith
ers of the Christian church. 1t pervades
to very great extent the views and CON
| ceptons of the noblest representative of
| evangelical religion in England and in Ger
many today. 1t is set forth by men who
have done more than any others to roll
back the tide of German infidelity during
the past 30 years-such names as Tholuck
LANCE and others whom | could name.
This | say, then, is no novelty, and it is a
misleading assertion which has been reiter-
ated and sent broadcast on the wings Of al
most all our religious journals into the minds
and hearts of the members of our churches
innocent rs children upon this matter.
Sir, times are changed. We have come
to one Of the periods of agitation upon a
theological question in respect To which it
| seems to me the wise course is to hold the
position Of neutrality which has character
lied the history of the board in times past.
| This board has seen the waters agitated be
| fore. 1t has seen many a theological con
troversy sweeping over this land Chris
tian men have been separated from one an
other upon other questions as sharply as
they are now separated. In my state of
| Connecticut two theological institutions
have stood face to face with one another,
shaking their fists at each other in Chris
.. r n. = L 1 a..
| which separated men from one another and
sundered Christian hearts and was deemed
to involve questions rs deep as those which
are presented TO us today and yet the
board never raised the question in the ex-
emination of any candidate. but sent in
differently the representatives of the schools
Of Tyler and Taylor TO preach the common
| gospel to the heather world. We have in
that conspicuous example and illustration
| of the position which should characterize
us today
The central position of theology, we are
told today, is shifted by the acceptance of
this view. Oh, how many times it has been
shifted Over and over again have views
been presented TO the church of Christ
which it was said would revolutionize the
whole system of Christianity. And yet,
dear friends, we are met today, little
| company loyal To TINS Christian system and
| intent on promoting it. and wide over all
this world are those whom we represent,
and only feebly represent-loyal to the
same purpose and intent on the propagation
of the old dear gospel of Gods love TO dy-
ing men. And if there is anything which
seems TO me 10 threaten the possibility of
our success in this matter, it is precisely
such scenes as we are witnessing Just now
such as sent home saddened hearts last
year from Des Moines such as will send
many saddened hearts home from this
meeting. Dear friends, why cannot we
rise to the simple, calm, grand commission
Of Jesus Christ in his message, go preach
this gospel of love and grace of God to men, "
without splitting and dividing upon philo-
sophical explanations of the plan of grace
DR.. Walkers remarks were warmly APP
plauded at several points, and the report
says that as he closed there was "tremend-
GUS and repeated applause"
|
GOSSIP FROM MONTPELIER.
A MEDDLEsoME REPUBLICAN BIDDER, AND